[A case of rhinofacial entomophthoromycosis in Soudano-Sahelian tropical climate in Burkina Faso]

Clinical characteristics of 5 adult patients with rhinofacial entomophthoromycosis in Thailand

Five patients [mean age: 36 years (range: 22-65)] were diagnosed with rhinofacial entomophthoromycosis at our center during the study period. All patients presented with painless cheek and nasal dorsum swelling with nasal obstruction. All pathology reports confirmed rhinofacial entomophthoromycosis, which is characterized by the Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon. Conidiobolus coronatus was identified from fungal culture in all patients. All patients were successfully treated with various antifungals.

Burden of Severe Fungal Infections in Burkina Faso

Because of the limited access to more powerful diagnostic tools, there is a paucity of data regarding the burden of fungal infections in Burkina Faso. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence and prevalence of serious fungal infections in this sub-Saharan country. We primarily used the national demographic data and performed a PubMed search to retrieve all published papers on fungal infections from Burkina Faso and its surrounding West African countries. Considering the prevalence of HIV infection (0.8% of the population) and a 3.4% incidence of cryptococcosis in hospitals, it is estimated that 459 patients per year develop cryptococcosis. For pneumocystosis, it is suggested that 1013 new cases occur every year. Taking into account the local TB frequency (population prevalence at 0.052%), we estimate the prevalence of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis at 1120 cases. Severe forms of asthma with fungal sensitization and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis are estimated to affect 7429 and 5628 cases, respectively. Vulvovaginal candidiasis may affect 179,000 women, and almost 1,000,000 children may suffer from tinea capitis. Globally, we estimate that roughly 1.4 million people in Burkina Faso (7.51% of the population) suffer from a serious fungal infection. These data should be used to drive future epidemiological studies, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic strategies.